Registered charity School Food Matters, whose mission is to teach UK children about food and improve children’s access to healthy, sustainable food, has launched a groundbreaking report. The Cost of a School Meal report was published on 24 October 2024 and was accompanied by a webinar with an expert panel and a “vibrant public discussion”.
The report, was put together with support from Glenn Campbell FCSI, founder & managing director of UK-based Cohesion Consulting, which helped with developing, gathering data and preparing the report. Campbell, who featured in the latest episode of FCSI’s Innovation In The Kitchen new roundtable video series focusing on school foodservice, said he was proud to be a part of a report that was helping “the sector through supporting, sharing and inspiring.”
The new report, which has backing from across the UK school food sector, found that the current funding rate of £2.53 per school meal “is 63p below what is needed, making the ‘true cost’ £3.16.”
Ensuring children have access to quality nutrition “is essential for their health and learning, said School Food Matters in a statement. “This report shows what is needed, and offers the government a clear opportunity to further invest in school meals and break down barriers to opportunity for children up and down the country.”
Download the report by clicking on the image below:
At the launch event, School Food Matters said it was privileged to be joined by experts from across the sector, including Labour MP Sharon Hodgson, managing director of CATERed Brad Pearce, Oasis UK Founder Steve Chalke, deputy CEO of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) Bethan Cullen, and Policy Director for Hunger Solutions (Minnesota) Leah Gardner. It also received video endorsements from Leon Co-Founder Henry Dimbleby and TV Chef Tom Kerridge.
TV Chef Jamie Oliver commented on the report: “Kids need nutritious food in school as much as they need pens and paper – they can’t learn without it. Good food lays the foundation for happier, healthier students, who go on to have brighter futures. But this report shows it’s getting harder and harder to do. Schools simply aren’t getting the funding they need, and kids are missing out. They deserve better.”
Michael Jones
